A Bi-Weekly Publication Friday June 29, 2007

In This Issue: · DEQ RE-ISSUES WETLAND GENERAL PERMITS · NEW WEBSITE FOR THE CORPS REFORM NETWORK · HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY GENERAL PERMITS FOR WETLAND ACTIVITIES RE-ISSUED The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has revised and re-issued General Permit Categories for Minor Activities in Wetlands in the State of Michigan. Michigan’s Wetland Protection Act authorizes the DEQ to issue General Permits for activities that are similar in nature, will cause only minimal adverse environmental affects when performed separately, and will have only minimal cumulative adverse effect on the environment. General Permits are issued for a five-year period and the new Wetland General Permit Categories replace those that expired on June 14, 2007. To view the General Permit Categories, visit: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/documents/deq-lwm-wetlands-GPMEMOBACKGROUND.pdf LAUNCH OF CORPS REFORM NETWORK WEBSITE Take a moment to check out the Corp Reform Network’s new website, www.corpsreform.org. The Corps Reform Network (CRN) is a coalition of hundreds of organizations from around the country working to protect America’s rivers, wetlands, and coasts by supporting member groups advocating to ensure that Army Corps of Engineers projects are economically and environmentally sound. The CRN works to advocate changes in the policies and practices of the Army Corps of Engineers so that the agency ceases promoting projects and issuing permits that result in wasted taxpayer dollars and the destruction and degradation of America’s water resources. Instead, the Corps should assist in the protection, restoration, and recovery of damaged habitat. ENJOY A SAFE AND HAPPY 4^th OF JULY Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. ~Rachel Carson

The Michigan Wetland Action Coalition (MWAC), a project of Tip of The Mitt Watershed Council, is a network of wetland protection advocates across the state. MWAC is focused on promoting sound wetland protection policies at the state and federal level through education and advocacy. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 426 Bay Street , Petoskey, Michigan 49770 Phone: (231) 347-1181 x 114 Fax: (231) 347-5928 Email: jenniferm@watershedcouncil.org Web: http://www.michiganwetlands.org/